Go Spread Your Message with a Bachelor of Arts in communication degree at SNHU
Communicating effectively with co-workers, clients and the general public requires expertise in oral, written and visual communications.The Bachelor of Arts in communication degree at Southern New Hampshire University helps graduates develop and deliver key messages to diverse audiences.
Employers often cite good communication skills as one of the most critical qualifications in a prospective employee. The communication, computer and graphic design skills students obtain in the communication major prepare them for a variety of careers.
Students:
- learn communication theory and industry-specific concepts that help them build public speaking, presentation and interviewing skills
- complete course work in many areas of the field, , gaining experience with business communication, graphic design and public relations
- may add courses and minors in advertising, film, journalism, information technology or marketing to further tailor their degrees
Electives in 3D animation and modeling, digital illustration, and digital video production are also offered.
SNHU's communication faculty mentor students and help them with resumes, course schedules and internships. Students also will learn about careers from guest speakers in the advertising, television and print industries.
Practical experience is emphasized through course work and internships. Opportunities include:
- working with real-world clients.
- contributing to the publication of the student-run newspaper, The Observer, and the student-run radio station, Radioactive 1620.
- internships.
Employers who have hired SNHU students and graduates include Glamour Magazine, Fox Network, Boston Red Sox, Segway and the Manchester Monarchs, to name a few.
Required Core Courses
School of Arts and Sciences Required Courses
ENG-226: Introduction to Creative Writing
An introductory creative writing course designed to acquaint students with the craft of creating writing and the skills that will be required in subsequent creative writing workshops Students will explore such craft issues as point of view voice characterization dialogue setting conflict rhythm imagery poetic structure and dramatic scene development Students will be expected to submit a number of writing exercises including stories and poems Student will also be expected to read and comment on their peers writing with thoughtful and constructive criticism as well as read and discuss published work
Select Two of the Following:
GRA-310: Digital Graphic Design for the Web
This course presents digital graphic theory and develops skills that meet the design and technical requirements of professionally created digital images for commercial applications on the World Wide Web on a variety of platforms and Internet appliances Each student will develop a professional portfolio consisting of printed and CD ROM material Students also develop working Web sites to display their graphic design projects Topics include design strategies Web authoring environments color calibration and aesthetics special HTML tags image mapping style sheets digital cameras and scanners GIF animation and an introduction to Dynamic HTML
Prerequisites:
CIS-100
HIS-114: United States History II 1865 Present
The second half of the United States history survey course covers the period following the Civil War The economic political and ideological developments that allowed the United States to attain a position of the world leadership are closely examined Required for majors in History and Social Studies Education with a concentration in History
POL-210: American Politics
This course offers a broad introduction to the structure and function of the American political system at the national level including the roles played by the president Congress the courts the bureaucracy political parties interest groups and the mass media in the policy making and electoral processes This course places special emphasis on how the efforts of the framers of the Constitution to solve what they saw as the political problems of their day continue to shape American national politics in ours
PSY-257: Social Psychology
Social psychology is an interesting dynamic study of how people s thoughts feelings and actions are affected by others Issues discussed include prejudice conformity interpersonal attraction and violence The scientific methods of studying such phenomena are emphasized Offered as needed
Prerequisites:
PSY-108
SCI-219: Environmental Issues
This course covers a variety of environmental topics in a manner specifically designed for the non science major It provides a fundamental understanding of the various processes necessary to support life on Earth and examines how human activities and attitudes individual traditional cultural and others generate environmental issues that threaten these processes Topics include ecology populations agriculture desertification and deforestation water and ocean pollution air pollution including ozone depletion solid and hazardous wastes energy including fossil fuels and nuclear power economies and sustainability This course is cross listed as ENV 219
SOC-328: Sociology of Aging
Students in this course examine the basic social processes and problems of aging Social and psychological issues and issues involved with death and dying are discussed Offered every other year
Prerequisites:
SOC-112
Communication Major Courses
COM-126: Introduction to Mass Communication
This communications survey course covers mass media culture and society The course focuses on how and why the US media operate as they do as well as on how media performance might be improved
COM-227: Public Relations
This course introduces students to the theory and practice of public relations in the United States Students study the major figures in this field as well as organizations their behavior and the relationships between organizations and their publics
Prerequisites:
ENG-11,
COM-230: Graphics and Layout in Print Media
This course is an introduction to the principles and practices of graphic design Students are introduced through lecture demonstration and hands on computer work to the basic elements of graphic visual communication Adobe Illustrator is used as a primary tool in exploring visual perception through a variety of creative exercises that familiarize the student with basic visual principles such as figure ground manipulation shape grouping letterform shape creation and grid and system creation Formal elements of graphic design such as line shape color texture pattern balance symmetry rhythm space and unity are thoroughly explored by example and hands on computer exercises special topics included are designing with type layout strategies logo design symbol and pictogram development and stationery systems
COM-232: Desktop Publishing
This course is an introduction to the software application Adobe InDesign designed for the novice user The Macintosh platform is used in the classroom studio lab and the student is introduced to the creative and practical aspects of the desktop publishing program that is considered indispensable in the contemporary communications and design industries This course is based on a series of introductory exercises and a regimen of hands on practice that teaches software and design skills students learn how to combine the use of InDesign with other professional graphics and work processing software such as Adobe Illustrator Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Word
Prerequisites:
COM-230
COM-235: Introduction to Journalism
This writing practicum introduces students to writing for print and electronic media under deadline Gathering information by using records documents observation interviewing and the Internet Emphasis on library resources electronic databases and current events Basic style and editing based on AP Stylebook and Libel Manual and AP Broadcast News Handbook
Prerequisites:
ENG-121,
COM-310: Social Media
Twitter Facebook blogs podcasts the possibilities of social media today are countless and ever changing This course is a broad approach to the history theory technology impact and strategic uses of social media These tools are relatively inexpensive and accessible technologies that enable anyone to create publish edit and access messages intended for the smallest to the largest of audiences Students will examine the strategic uses of social media for community building civic and political participation advertising marketing public relations and journalism This course provides hands on experience with the most current technology
Prerequisites:
ENG-121
COM-320: Exploring World Cultures Mass Media
This course seeks to expand global cultural understanding and communication by examining pop culture and media systems in various countries Students will have the opportunity to expand their cultural perspective by exploring music film television radio print media technology and urban and youth culture Topics will include media imports and exports media audiences media financing and regulation media research and reporting media effects media ethics meaning and communication through media and intercultural communication In lieu of a text students will use extensive Internet research personal interviews podcasts discussion boards various supplemental material and independent cultural exploration Classes will consist of brief lectures discussion viewing of media and in class research and projects Global marker
Prerequisites:
COM-126
COM-322: Advanced Public Speaking
This course provides students with the skills to produce effective oral presentations in professional contexts The course includes formal individual speeches as well as interactive and group presentations It is run as a seminar to provide students with experience as moderators
Prerequisites:
COM-212
COM-469: Senior Seminar in Communication
This course serves as the capstone experience for communication majors Students synthesize past course work knowledge skills and experiences in order to research and plan a scholarly applied communication study and or campaign to solve a problem for a real world client Specific project requirements are tailored to meet students planned career paths or areas of focus in the communication discipline In class sessions focus on enabling students to become effective independent researchers while regular individual conferences with the instructor focus on project planning charting progress and addressing contingencies The course results in each student producing a final written product a research thesis or professional project report along with a public oral presentation of the thesis project
Prerequisites:
PSY-224
Select Two of the Following:
COM ELE - One Communication elective
ENG ELE - One English elective
GRA ELE - One Graphic Arts elective
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